sniggle

verb

snig·​gle ˈsni-gəl How to pronounce sniggle (audio)
sniggled; sniggling ˈsni-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce sniggle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to fish for eels by thrusting a baited hook into their hiding places

transitive verb

: to catch (an eel) by sniggling

Word History

Etymology

English dialect snig small eel, from Middle English snygge

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sniggle was in 1653

Dictionary Entries Near sniggle

Cite this Entry

“Sniggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sniggle. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!